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Moving OnA Guide for Career Planning and Job Searching

UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES / CAREERS.GMU.EDU

WHERE INNOVATION IS TRADITION

University Career Services is located in SUB I, Room 3400. Call 703-993-2370 to make an appointment, stop by during walk-in hours, or visit careers.gmu.edu for tips, resources, and more information. We offer the following:

Career Counseling and Industry AdvisingOur career counseling and industry advising services are designed to address your needs and concerns on a one-on-one basis. We meet with undergraduate students, graduate students, and alumni.

Career Counselors and Industry Advisors are excellent listeners, information providers, and encouragers.

Counselors and Advisors can

Help you clarify and articulate your skills and interests.

Provide resources for exploring career options and researching industries and occupations.

Provide information on how to create resumes, CVs, and cover letters.

Review drafts of your resumes, cover letters, and personal statements.

Provide tips on interviewing and conduct practice interviews.

Help you develop your job and internship search strategy.

Workshops and EventsWorkshops throughout the year cover topics, such as preparing for the Career Fair, network-ing, resume and cover letter writing, interview strategies, job offers and salary negotiation, and more. Career panels feature alumni and employers who can help you learn more about working in specific industries and occupations. Check the Calendar of Events at careers.gmu.edu for scheduling details.

HireMasonThousands of listings for internships, part-time, full-time, summer, and on-campus jobs can be found by registering with HireMason. You can access and register for our job and intern-ship database at careers.gmu.edu.

Career FairsUniversity Career Services sponsors career fairs in the spring and fall semesters, designed to help you develop contacts and find internship, summer, or full-time job opportunities. Visit careers.gmu.edu to find out more.

On-Campus Interviewing On-campus Interviewing (OCI) presents a convenient opportunity to interview on-campus with employers for full-time positions and internships. Learn more about OCI at careers.gmu.edu.

HoursMonday-Friday: 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m. Tuesday evenings until 7 p.m. (when class is in session) Walk-ins: Monday-Thursday: 2-4 p.m., Friday: 10 a.m.-noon

Introduction

UNIVERSITY CAREER SERVICES | 1

Our VisionTo make big dreams an attainable reality.

Our MissionWe are committed to educating and preparing students for meaningful careers in a global society.

University Career Services will achieve its mission by

1. Engaging students in career development and career preparation to make the best use of their talents, resources, and experiences

2. Creating opportunities for students to connect with alumni and employers

3. Developing and maintaining strong relationships with local, national, and global employers

4. Collaborating with faculty and campus partners to facilitate career education and preparation

DEDICATIONThis edition of Moving On is dedicated to Virginia (Ginny) Wheeler, who passed away this past year at age 79. She joined University Career Services in 1985 and retired in August 2011. In living her passion, she helped many students in their career journeys. She worked closely with the Graduate School of Education and played a key role in the yearly Education Recruitment Day fair.

Wheeler created UNIV 200 Major and Career Decisions and was instrumental in instituting the course. She co-wrote the textbook used for the course, trained instructors, and taught the course, as well. She was passionate about career counseling and loved working with Mason students.

INTERNSHIP ANDCAREER SEARCH CYCLE

Know YourselfKnow YourselfKnow Yourself

rResume and Resume and Resume and CCover LetterCover Letter

Career ResearchCareer Research

NetworkNetworkSearchSearch

InterviewInterviewInterview

Offer and Offer and Offer and NegotiationNegotiation

2 | MOVING ON: A GUIDE FOR CAREER PLANNING AND JOB SEARCHING

Table of Contents

People Who Can Get You Connected, 30Strategies for Networking, 30The Informational Interview , 31Social Media and Online Networking, 31Other Networking Strategies, 32

JOB SEARCH 3337Identifying Employers and Positions, 34Job Search Resources, 34Federal Government Jobs, 35Identify Federal Positions, 35 Follow Hiring Procedures, 35How to Apply, 35 Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs), 35 Follow-up, 35Background Investigations and Security Clearances, 36Resources, 37

INTERVIEWING 3842About Interviewing, 39Before the Interview, 39During the Interview, 39Practice Interview Questions, 40 The Six Most Feared Interview Questions, 40The Behavioral Interview, 40The Case Interview, 41Handling Interview Challenges, 41After the Interview, 41Interview Checklist, 42

OFFERS AND NEGOTIATIONS 4345Why Negotiate Salary?, 44Salary Requirements, 44Salary History, 44Salary Requests during the Interview, 44Salary Negotiation Strategies, 45Determine Your Salary, 45Do Your Research, 45 Understand Your Value, 45 Be Aware, 45

KNOW YOURSELF 38Your Career Success Plan, 4Know Yourself Exercises, 5Exercise 1: Holland Interest Inventory, 5 About Your Holland Interest Inventory Code, 6 Link Your Interests to Occupations, 6 Holland Themes, 6Exercise 2: Values, 7Exercise 3: Skills, 7Exploring Majors and Careers, 7

RESUME AND COVER LETTERS 926Resumes, 10Resume Contents, 10 Identifying Information, 10 Objective, 10 Summary of Qualifications, 10 Education, 10 Experience, 11 Skills, 11 Other Resume Categories, 12Key Words for Resume Preparation—Action Verbs, 13Resume Formats, 14 Chronological Format, 14 Related Experience Format, 15 Technical Resume, 16Federal Style Resume, 17Resume Checklist, 18Cover Letters, 19Cover Letter Contents, 19 Sample Cover Letter: Prospecting, 20 Sample Cover Letter: Internship, 21 Sample Cover Letter: Job, 22Cover Letter Checklist, 24Letters of Recommendation , 25References, 25Identifying Your References, 25Requesting References, 25Providing Your References with Information, 25Reference List Format, 26

CAREER RESEARCH 728About Career Research, 28Career Research Checklist, 28Links, 28General Information, 28Industry-Specific Information, 28

NETWORKING 2932Why Network? 30Your Personal Pitch, 30


Know

Yourself

KNOW YOURSELFThis section will help you identify your interests, values, skills, and certain aspects

of your personality that have developed through your studies, extracurricular

activities, and work experience. Knowing these things will help you decide on a

major and occupation. It will also help you when you prepare for an interview for

an internship or job.

In ThisSectionYou will learn

What is included in a career plan.

How to identify your interests, values, and skills.

How to choose possible careers and majors.


Your Career Success PlanThe career success plan outlines steps for every year you are in college to help you develop into a qualified and competitive job candi-date upon graduation.

YEAR CAREER PLANNING

FRESHMAN: Explore Majors and Careers

Learn about University Career Services (UCS) programs and services.

Ask for an orientation of the Career Library and use the resources to explore majors and career fields.

If undecided about your major, refer to “Explore Possible Majors and Careers” in this section.

See a career counselor designated for undeclared students.

SOPHOMORE: Seek Opportunities to Gain Career Experience

Meet with a career counselor for help with deciding on or confirming your major.

Consider taking the 2-credit course UNIV 200 Decide/Confirm Major.

Use HireMason to research and identify career-related internships and part-time jobs.

Attend the Career Fair and other events to make initial contacts with employers and learn about opportunities.

Set up informational interviews or shadowing experiences with Mason alumni. Use Mason Career Network to con-tact alumni.

Join campus organizations and consider taking on leadership positions to gain experience and develop skills.

JUNIOR: Evaluate Decisions and Commit to Goals

Obtain experience through internships, co-ops, or part-time jobs.

Take the 1-credit course UNIV 300 Internship/Career Readiness.

Network with alumni and professionals in your field of interest.

Develop a resume that highlights your skills, knowledge, and experience as they relate to your future goals and have it reviewed by your career counselor. Import your resume into HireMason.

Attend the Career Fair and other events to speak with employers recruiting for internships, co-ops, and seasonal job opportunities.

SENIOR: Prepare for the Transition to Career

Meet with your career counselor and/or industry advisor to discuss job search or graduate school preparation.

Update your resume and have it reviewed by your career counselor.

Find out about the On-Campus Interviewing program and other employer events.

Attend appropriate employer presentations and receptions.

Use HireMason, social media, and other web resources to identify and research employers and locate job openings, including co-ops and internships.

Develop a job search action plan. Prepare for your job interviews.

Attend a workshop on interviewing skills and view the interviewing videos.

Take the 1-credit course UNIV 400 College to Career or College to Graduate School.

Consider joining an appropriate professional or trade association.

Identify faculty or work supervisors who will provide favorable references.

Participate in local and regional job fairs and other career events in the area.

GRADUATE STUDENTS: Continue to Move toward Your Career Goals

Follow the same steps as indicated for seniors.

Join and actively participate in professional or trade associations and clubs. Assume a leadership position.

Network with key faculty members. Assist faculty with their research.


Know

Yourself

Know Yourself ExercisesEXERCISE 1. HOLLAND INTEREST INVENTORY According to the vocational theory developed by John Holland, the activities people engage in and the work environments in American society can be categorized by a set of common characteristics. The more compatible a person’s interests are with the work environment, the greater success and satisfaction the individual is likely to experience.

Follow the directions to complete the Interest Checklist to identify your preferred Holland Interest Themes.

1. Circle the activities that sound appealing to you whether you have done them or not. Do not consider your skill, only your interest in the activity.

2. Review the categories and identify your first, second, and third most appealing themes. This is your Holland Code.

3. Read the descriptions of each theme.

For an interactive version of the Holland Interest Inventory, visit bit.ly/LFnZuT.

INTEREST CHECKLIST

REALISTIC “Doers”

INVESTIGATIVE “Thinkers”

ARTISTIC “Creators”

SOCIAL “Helpers”

ENTERPRISING “Persuaders”

CONVENTIONAL “Organizers”

Use carpentry tools to build items with wood

Solve math problems or quizzes

Design posters, flyers, or brochures

Take a course in interpersonal relations

Make a speech or presentation

Fill out income tax forms

Plant a garden Work with a chemistry set

Take photographs Provide care for children Meet influential people Take the minutes of a meeting

Repair stereos, computers, or small appliances

Read and solve mysteries Work independently in an unstructured environment

Belong to clubs or attend conferences and networking meetings

Lead a work project or committee

Keep the books or records for a club

Refinish antique furniture

Read scientific books or magazines; watch scientific TV programs

Conceptualize new ways to solve problems or accomplish tasks

Help someone new become acquainted with others and make friends

Sell items or services Reorganize a filing system to make it more efficient

Hunt or fish Work in a laboratory Sketch, draw, paint, or sculpt

Teach a class Participate in a political campaign

Write business letters, memos, or reports

Raise or train animals Use or discuss computers and software

Read or write poetry Meet and get to know new people

Help settle disputes Work with numbers and financial data

Work independently, solving concrete, practical problems

Compare and analyze budget figures

Dance or act in a play Learn about different cultures and groups of people

Be a member of the debate team

Collect and organize such items as stamps, coins, or baseball cards

Develop film in a darkroom

Observe behavioral or scientific phenomena

Attend a play, opera, or concert

Listen to your friends’ personal problems and try to help solve them

Own or operate a small business or service

Operate computers and other business machines

Spend time browsing in a hardware store

Develop a survey questionnaire for a research project

Read articles or watch movies with an artistic or musical theme

Do volunteer work to benefit the elderly, needy, or sick

Manage a fund-raising campaign for an organization

Balance a checkbook or manage personal finances

Serve in the military Use a microscope or telescope

Write a creative story for fun or publication

Entertain friends in your home

Entertain business clients Make charts and graphs

Repair or tune up bikes, cars, or motorcycles

Play chess or other strategy games

Visit an art museum Chaperone a youth group dance

Serve as a club officer Take or keep an inventory of supplies

Operate a sewing machine

Analyze and solve abstract problems

Play a musical instrument Lead a discussion group on social justice

Supervise a staff of people

Organize items in your room, garage, or attic

Drive a bus or truck, or operate large machines

Collect data for an experiment

Design a dress, piece of jewelry, or furniture

Work on group projects Persuade others to accept your ideas

Develop and follow efficient work routines

Your Holland Code: First _____________ Second ___________ Third __________


About Your Holland Interest Inventory CodeWork environments can be divided into the six broad interest areas: Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional. Knowing your unique combination of interests can assist you in determining jobs that suit you best.

Link Your Interests to OccupationsTo learn more about your Holland Code and how to use this information when considering a major or occupation

Schedule an appointment with a career counselor.

Refer to the Dictionary of Holland Occupational Codes or the Occupations and Interest Themes Binder in the Career Library to identify occupations that relate to your Holland Code.

HOLLAND THEMES

AREA DESCRIPTION STUDENT ACTIVITIES (that may be of interest)

REALISTIC (Expresses interests and solves problems by doing)

Enjoys working with machines, tools, objects, and animals.

Practical, reserved, and physical

Likes to work outdoors on concrete problems and see tangible results.

ROTC

Intramural and club sports

The Geo Club

Event production activities.

INVESTIGATIVE (Expresses interests and solves problems by thinking)

Enjoys researching, exploring ideas, collecting data, analyzing, inquiring, and using instruments.

Methodical, original, and logical

Honors Committee

Biology Club

Student engineering organizations

Student government

ARTISTIC (Expresses interests and solves problems by creating)

Enjoys being original, independent, introspective, self-expressive, innovative, and unstructured.

Develops skills in music, art, drama, language, and writing.

Program Board

Student publications

Mason Cable Network,

Storytellers Club, and

Music Educators National Conference.

SOCIAL (Expresses interests and solves problems by helping)

Enjoys working with people to inform, train, enlighten, or cure.

Perceptive, responsible, empathic, and patient

Sororities and fraternities

Campus ministry

Peer advisors

Mason Ambassadors

Orientation leaders or RAs

ENTERPRISING (Expresses interests and solves problems by persuading)

Seeks to use mind, words, and feelings in dealing with people to motivate, persuade, manage, and sell things or promote ideas.

May like taking personal or financial risks.

Assertive, sociable, ambitious, enthusiastic, influential, and goal oriented

Student Funding Board

Debate Team

Model United Nations

American Marketing Association

Management and activists clubs

CONVENTIONAL (Expresses interests and solves problems by organizing)

Enjoys activities that permit organization of information in a clear, orderly manner.

Likes structured settings.

Detail-oriented, responsible and conforming

Accounting Club

Student Government

DMIS Club

Student Elections Commission

REALISTICDOER

HELPERS

SOCIAL

ORGANIZER

CONVENTIONALTHINKER

INVESTIGATIVE

ENTERPRISINGPERSUADER

ARTISTICCREATOR

DOER

THINKER

CREATOR

HELPERS

PERSAUDER

ORGANIZER


Know

Yourself

EXERCISE 2: VALUES Values are a set of standards that determine attitudes, choices, and action. Mapping your value priorities can help lay important groundwork for making sound career decisions that fit your unique pattern of values, interests, and talents. Work-related val-ues underlie our choices about work. Some people value creativi-ty; others place a premium on income or contributing.

For a values worksheet, visit careers.gmu.edu.

The Values Card Sort helps you identify your work-related and life values.

Take the interactive version at bit.ly/I4MxAu.

EXERCISE 3: SKILLS Functional skills are competencies that are transferable to many different work settings. Developing a list of the functional skills you have and most enjoy using can help you focus on positions that would fit your talents and provide more satisfaction.

For a skills worksheet, visit careers.gmu.edu.

The Skills Card Sort helps you pinpoint your strengths and skill preferences. It provides you with words for help in defining your skills, resumes and cover letters, and your own career decision making.

Take the interactive version at bit.ly/I5jT2W.

Career Self-Assessment Inventories University Career Services offers students and alumni the oppor-tunity for formal and informal assessment of personality, skills, and interests as a part of the major and career exploration pro-cess. All assessments include a one-hour interpretation session with a counselor.

Cost (Strong Interest Inventory or the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator)Current students and recent alumni $15

Alumni who graduated more than $40 for one or $60 six months ago for both assessments

The Skill Scan and Self-Directed Search are offered to current stu-dents and alumni at no cost. If you are interested in any of these career assessments, please make an appointment with your career counselor. Your career counselor will help you to decide the assessment(s) that will address your specific needs.

Quick Links Skills Profiler bit.ly/MmgtZo Identifies skills and matches them to jobs.

O*NET’s Ability Profiler bit.ly/MD6CtQ Matches strengths with occupations.

O*NET’s Interest Profiler bit.ly/L8Jt2e Identifies broad interest areas.

O*NET’s Work Importance Locator bit.ly/L8JCTo Identifies job features that are important to you.

Employability Checkup bit.ly/No4gnc Provides a snapshot of your employability

Exploring Majors and CareersMany students begin college undecided about a major. Whether you are considering a few ideas, wide open to possibility, or some-where in between, there are resources to help you choose and confirm your choice of major.

EXPLORING MAJORS CHECKLIST Describe the program of study for the major you are consider-ing.

Identify course requirements and read descriptions of required courses.

Identify graduate and professional school opportunities for this major.

Identify opportunities for gaining career-related experience in this major.

Identify and contact alumni who pursued this major to find out what they are doing.

List potential careers for this major.

Based on your research, identify the advantages and disadvan-tages of this major for you.

EXPLORING CAREERS CHECKLIST Identify the nature of the work including the required skills.

Identify the education or training that is required to enter and progress in the field.

Identify opportunities for advancement.

Research the projected outlook and trends in this field. Visit bls.gov/oco.

Find the salary range and types of benefits you can expect.

Consider nonmonetary rewards.

Identify the personal characteristics that are required of some-one in this occupation.

Based on your research, determine how well the nature of the work suits your interests, values, skills, and personality.

List the advantages and disadvantages of this occupation for you.


Mason Academic and Professional Student Organizations gmu.collegiatelink.net/organizations Join organizations that have programs that feature professionals in your field of interest. Information on student organizations and programs is available at sa.gmu.edu or the Student Involvement office in SUB I.

Professionals in Careers You Are Exploring/ Mason Alumni Affairs alumni.gmu.edu/get-involved/alumni-chapters.html Some alumni will permit you to shadow them for half a day or more.

Professional Associations Identify associations related to career fields of interest and con-tact them for information on local chapter meetings, networking events, career trend information, lists of graduate or professional training programs, special certifications and more.

Career Advice Sites and Social Media The following are examples of career-related websites to use as resources. You can also visit them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

O-NET: onetonline.org Occupational Outlook Handbook: bls.gov/oco/ Riley’s Guide: rileyguide.com/careers/index.shtml WetFeet: store.wetfeet.com/collections/industries-and- careers

Quick LinksMason Course Catalog catalog.gmu.edu Explore major requirements, course descriptions, and course syllabi.

Mason Academic Advising Office advising.gmu.edu Pick up course planning sheets for majors you are considering.

Textbooks for required courses Skim through texts at the George Mason University Bookstore to get a feel for the subject matter.

Career Library (SUB I, Room 3400) Use the “Where to Start…Career Resources” lists to identify the materials that relate to the majors or occupations in which you are interested.

Mason Website Links Explore majors links: “Exploring Majors” at advising.gmu.edu/current-students/research-majors and “What Can I Do with This Major” at careers.gmu.edu/resources/majorsutk/majors/index.html.

HireMason Research jobs and internships to identify tasks associated with occupations and majors, skills, and knowledge required. Take advantage of research projects, internships, co-ops, part-time or summer jobs, volunteering, or study abroad to learn more about a particular subject area.


Resum

e and Cover L

etters

RESUME AND COVER LETTERSThis section will explain how to craft a well-articulated resume that concisely highlights

your skills and accomplishments, while teaching you how to develop a cover letter that

gives more depth to your experiences. Check out the samples in this section and on

careers.gmu.edu to get a better idea of how you can develop your own documents.

Important Note: Your resume and cover letter will change every time you apply for a position. You will revisit this step over and over to tailor your documents appropriately.

In ThisSectionYou will learn…

The different resume formats.

What should be included in a cover letter.

About other letters and how to compose them.

How to ask for reference and know the format for including them in your application.


The Four-Step ProcessFinding an internship or a job involves four steps:

As you continue your search for an internship or job, consider these four steps as a way to be more diligent, targeted, and purpose-ful about your search. If you find you are not getting interviews, ask yourself on which of the above steps you are not spending enough time. If you are only focusing on step four and are not spending enough time on the first three, try to change your patterns to rebalance your efforts. Fully engaging in all the steps will help you be more successful in your search and lead to an interview.

Documents (resume/cover letter) are Step 1 in the process. Check out the rest of this section for details and samples on how to develop your best resume or cover letter.

are pursuing several career objectives that emphasize different skills and knowledge, you can create a separate resume for each.

Sample ObjectivesTrainee position in real estate property management, with opportunity to contribute strong financial skills and rele-vant experience. Administrative position in community health care education, with special emphasis on community relations and educating local employers.

Summary of Qualifications (optional)Instead of an objective or in combination with an objective, you may include a summary of qualifications. Be sure to summarize the experience, skills, and credentials most pertinent to the posi-tions you are seeking. The summary of qualifications is brief, usu-ally with no more than five qualification statements in bulleted format.

Sample Summary of QualificationsExcel at oral communications, evidenced by four successful years on Forensic Team.

Highly organized, able to manage multiple tasks with proven ability to meet deadlines.

Work well independently and as a team member.

Able to develop, write, and edit marketing materials.

Extensive computer application experience using Word, Access, Excel, PowerPoint, Adobe QuarkXPress.

For an example of a summary with an objective, see the sample resume for Ricardo Castro in this section.

EducationThe education section follows immediately after the objective or summary of qualifications, unless you graduated several years ago and have experience that is a stronger qualification. Begin with

Resumes A resume is a brief summary of your qualifications, education, and experiences relevant to your job search objective. Employers will spend less than 30 seconds reviewing your resume; therefore, the information must be conveyed in a clear, well-organized style.

RESUME CONTENTS

Identifying InformationName

Address—permanent and current, if applicable

Telephone number(s)—Include numbers where you can be reached during the day as well as evening. Be sure your voice-mail message is appropriate for employers.

E-mail address—While a student, you may use your Mason e-mail is recommended. Your username should reflect your professionalism.

Website URL (optional)—Your website should look professional and contain information you would want an employer to see.

Objective (optional)An objective communicates to the prospective employer what opportunity you are seeking and what relevant skills and knowl-edge you can contribute to the employer. It is important for the remainder of your resume to highlight skills, knowledge, and experience that support the objective.

A strong, targeted objective should include the following:

Type of position you are seeking

Type of organization or industry you are pursuing

Relevant skills you will contribute to position/organization

Your objective should be tailored to each opportunity or position. Avoid general, unfocused objectives, such as “a challenging and rewarding position that uses my education and experience.” If you

1 2 3 4Documents Research Network Search


Resum

e and Cover L

ettersyour most recent education and list your qualifications in reverse chronological order. Include the following:

Degree(s) awarded

Major and minor

Month and year degree was (or will be) awarded

Name and location of college or university

If you are about to graduate and transferred from a school where you received an associate degree or no degree, you may choose to list the school to call attention to your degree, relevant honors, courses, or accomplishments. However, listing the earlier school(s) is optional.

If no degree was awarded, list major (if applicable), name and location of school, number of credits completed, and dates attended.

High school is rarely included unless you are a recent high school graduate or wish to draw attention to something special about your high school experience.

Other academic information, if relevant and supportive of your objective, could include the following:

GPA (overall and/or in major) if 3.00 or higher

Relevant courses (list up to five course titles and no course numbers)

Scholarships, honors, awards, and honor societies

Course projects

Thesis or dissertation topic

Clinical or field experience

Special training programs, certifications, or licensure

Study abroad

If you have two or more honors and awards, you may choose to create a separate section titled Honors and Awards in which to list these for greater emphasis. Likewise, if course projects, internships, and clinical or field experiences are among your most relevant qualifications, consider creating a separate section, which may be titled Related Experience. For an example of a Related Experience section, see the sample resume for Annie Tran in this section.

Sample Education SectionBS in Economics, minor in Spanish, expected May 2013 George Mason University, Fairfax, VARelevant Course Work: Money and Banking, Economic Problems and Public Policies, International Economics, International Money and Finance, Economic Development of Latin America

Study Abroad: University of Madrid, Spain, fall 2010 and spring 2011 semesters

Completed extensive course work in economics and Spanish language and culture.

Financed 75 percent of college costs through part-time employment.

ExperienceThis section may include the following:

Full-time experience

Part-time experience

Internships and co-op positions

Significant volunteer, leadership, field, and practicum experiences

Significant course projects

For each experience, include the job title; name and location (city and state) of organization; the dates you participated; and a description of the skills, competencies, accomplishments, and knowledge you demonstrated. To choose a format that best high-lights your experience, see examples of the chronological, related, or relevant experience, and functional formats displayed later in this section.

Sample Experience DescriptionAccounting Assistant, ABC Accounting, Fairfax, VA May 2010–present

Maintained accounts payable and receivable for more than 200 office clients.

Created and implemented a system for ordering and main-taining inventory of office supplies using Access.

Developed a tracking log of client contacts resulting in greater office efficiency.

Tips for Creating the Most Effective DescriptionsAction Verbs: State your experiences in phrases that begin with action verbs and show the scope and results of your activ-ity (e.g., improved a procedure, clarified a problem, increased efficiency).

Quantify: Qualify and quantify your accomplishments (e.g., “trained more than 300 persons from 100 companies to use….” Well-chosen descriptive details help communicate your initia-tive, follow through, and problem-solving skills.

Keywords: Use keyword nouns in experience descriptions (and throughout your resume). Employers often search electronic resume databases using key words to locate candidates with preferred qualifications.

No Passive Phrases: Avoid passive phrases, such as “Responsi-ble for,” “Duties included,” or “Assisted with.”

Order of Importance: Describe your most responsible func-tions first even if they occupied only a small percentage of your time.

Outcomes: Always include the outcome of your efforts or accomplishments (e.g., report was used by the account execu-tive to brief the board).

SkillsSpecialized skills, such as computer or foreign language skills, may be included in your resume. List relevant skills and your level of expertise. Or, if certain skills are particularly relevant to your objective, you may choose to list them under a separate “Com-puter Skills” or “Technical Skills” section.


Sample Skills SectionComputer proficiency in MS Word, Excel, PowerPoint. Use Internet effectively for research

Familiar with database management using MS Access

Fluent in Spanish and English; conversational ability in French

Effective leadership and oral communication skills exhibited in campus activities and organizations

Other Resume CategoriesOther categories that illustrate competencies might include the following:

Student activities

Community service

Volunteer work

Course projects

Presentations

Leadership experience

Research

Publications

Certifications or licenses

Honors and awards

Professional memberships

International experience

Interests

Security clearances

When deciding whether to create a separate resume category, ask if the information is important or relevant enough to warrant its own section or would it fit just as well under another major head-ing. Avoid creating a category that has only one item.

Sample Student Activity SectionPresident, American Marketing Association George Mason University, Fairfax, Virginia, 2012– present

Coordinate the activities of 75 members and lead a commit-tee of five officers.

Plan monthly professional development programs with local community businesses.

Market all chapter activities to students through class pre-sentations, activity fairs, and electronic communication.

Quick LinksSample Resumes careers.gmu.edu (Resume and Cover Letter section)

Quick TipHave your resume critiqued and con-duct a practice interview with an employer representative at the begin-ning of each fall and spring semester. See the career calendar at careers.gmu.edu/calendar.


Resum

e and Cover L

ettersKEY WORDS FOR RESUME PREPARATIONACTION VERBSUse action verbs at the beginning of each statement that describes your experiences.

administeredanalyzedassembledbuiltcalculatedcomputedconfiguredconstructedcreated

designeddetermineddevelopedinstalledledmaintainedmanagedoperatedoverhauled

oversawprogrammedsimulatedtestedtroubleshotused

TECHNICAL

ADMINISTRATIVEaccomplishedadministeredapprovedarrangedclassifiedcompileddevelopeddocumented

maintainedmanagedmonitoredoperatedorganizedpreparedprioritizedprovided

purchasedrecordedresolvedretrievedscreenedsystematized

TEACHINGadaptedadvisedclarifiedcoachedcoordinatedexplained

guidedinformedinstructedservedtaughttrained

addressedadvisedaidedarrangedarticulatedauthoredclarifiedcommunicatedcompletedcomposedconceivedconductedconsulted

contributedcooperatedcoordinatedcorrespondedcounseleddebateddefineddirecteddraftededitedenlistedexplainedformulated

helpedinfluencedinformedinspiredinterpretedinterviewedlecturedmarketedmediatedmoderatedmotivatedpersuadedpresented

promotedrecruitedrepresentedspokesuggestedsummarizedsupervised trainedupdated

COMMUNICATION

actedadaptedcomposedconceivedconceptualizedcraftedcreatedcustomizeddesigneddevelopeddirectedfashionedfoundedgeneratedillustrated

improvisedinitiatedinnovatedintegratedinventedmarketedoriginatedperformedproblem solvedrevitalizedshapedsynthesizedtraveled

CREATIVE

administeredallocatedanalyzedappraisedauditedbalancedbudgetedcalculatedcompileddevelopedfinanced

forecastedformulatedinvestedmaintainedmanagedmarketedpreparedprojectedtargetedtracked

FINANCIAL

advisedaidedassessedassistedattendedcared forclarifiedcoachedcoordinatedcounseleddelivereddemonstrateddevelopeddiagnosededucatedengagedfacilitatedfurnishedmentoredovercameprovidedreferredserved

HELPING

accomplishedachievedadministeredanalyzedappointedassessedassignedchairedcoachedconsultedcontractedcontrolledcoordinateddevelopeddirectedestablishedevaluatedexaminedexceededexecutedimplemented

improvedincreasedinitiatedledmanagedmarketednegotiatedorganizedplannedpreparedprioritizedproducedpromotedrecommendedreconciledrecruitedreviewedsupervisedtargetedtrainedtransformed

MANAGEMENT

calculatedcatalogedclarifiedcollectedcomputedcorrelatedcritiqueddiagnoseddiscovered

evaluatedexaminedexperimentedextrapolatedgatheredidentifiedinspectedinvestigatedmonitored

observedorganizedprovedsurveyedtested

RESEARCH


RESUME FORMATSThere is no single way to format your resume. The format you choose should present your strengths clearly.

Chronological FormatIs most familiar to employers.

Presents your experience and education in reverse chronological sequence, starting with the most recent.

Lists date, job title, organization’s name, and location, and describes your activities as part of the experience section.

Is simple, straightforward, and especially useful for anyone with directly relevant experience.

Visit careers.gmu.edu for tips and additional samples.

Sample Chronological Format Resume

RICARDO CASTRO [email protected]

Permanent Address: Campus Address: 1028 Aztec Place 7567 Chain Bridge Road

Richmond, VA 22039 Fairfax, VA 22030 814-986-4523 703-993-1111

______________________________________________________________________________ OBJECTIVE A summer internship in public affairs. Special interest in the federal government. QUALIFICATION HIGHLIGHTS

EDUCATION Communication major, concentration in Persuasive and Political Communication.

2014

- -Female Comm-

Business, and French Language and Culture. EXPERIENCE Vice President, George Mason University Student Government Fairfax, VA, October 2011-August 2014

Career Assistant, George Mason University Career Services Fairfax, VA, September 2011 - September 2012

counseling appointments, job listings, cooperative education, and various other services provided.

LEADERSHIP ACTIVITIES & HONORS Campus Ambassador and Tour Guide for Admissions Office, 2012-present. Activitie Broadside 1-present. Student Government Representative for Sophomore Class, 2012.

12.


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This is an effective way to list your career-related experience first if is not your most recent experience.

Use two experience headings: “Related Experience” and “Additional Experience.”

Visit careers.gmu.edu for tips and additional samples.

Sample Related Experience Format Resume

ANNIE TRAN -555-

______________________________________________________________________________ OBJECTIVE

EDUCATION B.S. in Psychology, Minor in Women’s Studies, 14 George Mason University, Relevant coursework includes:

-

RELATED EXPERIENCE Resident Advisor, -

Crisis Counselor, 11 –

-

ADDITIONAL EXPERIENCE Administrative Assistant, 11

Waitress, –

HONORS/ACTIVITIES

–

–

SKILLS


Technical Resume A technical resume should clearly show a candidate’s technical skills.

Typically, you should include the following:

■ Upper-level course titles (optional), the duration, and the result.

■ Projects completed, including platform used (front-end and back-end).

■ Initiatives and performances that enhanced efficiency (faster work, monetary savings, and the like). Focus on your most impres-sive technical projects and achievements.

■ Technical certifications, hardware, operating systems, networking and protocols, programming and languages, web and database applications.

■ Qualifications, such as personality development, marketing diploma, or research study.

Sample Technical Resume

GEORGIA DISK -555- [email protected]

OBJECTIVE Seeking career-

EDUCATION

3

CITIZENSHIP

4 RELATED COURSE WORK

- Data Structures

COMPUTER SKILLS

COMPUTER PROJECTS

.

WORK HISTORY Sales Clerk, Patriot Computers, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA, July 2012–Present

Student Assistant, Computer Science Department, George Mason University, Fairfax VA, May-June 2012

OTHER INFORMATION


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ettersFederal Style ResumesAlthough most U.S. government agencies will accept a “simple” resume, you can make yourself more competitive by creating the longer federal resume. There is an excellent federal resume builder on www.usajobs.gov that can help you properly format your resume and ensure that you include the necessary information.

The federal resume requires information not usually included in a resume for the private sector. It can be up to five to six pages in length. Your federal resume should include the following:

The job announcement number, job title, and job grade of the job for which you are applying.

Your full name, full mailing address, day and evening phone numbers, and home e-mail.

Social Security number.

Country of citizenship.

Veteran’s preference.

Reinstatement eligibility (for former federal employees).

Highest federal civilian grade held, including job series and dates held.

Education, college name, city, state, zip code, your majors, and type and year of degrees held or number of semester hours completed. Also if requested, your high school name, city, state, zip code, and date of your diploma or GED.

All work experience, paid and unpaid (job title, duties and accomplishments, employer’s name and address, including zip code; supervisor’s name and phone number, starting and ending dates (month and year), hours per week, and salary. List each experience as a separate entry on the resume.

Indicate whether your current supervisor can be contacted for a reference.

Job-related training courses (title and year).

Job-related knowledge or skills.

Current job-related certificates and licenses.

Honors, awards, special accomplishments, leadership activities, memberships, or publications—both university and job-related.

Additional Resume TipsAnalyze the announcements carefully for key words and govern-ment jargon.

Include your accomplishments, including work, academic, extra-curricular, volunteer, and other activities; don’t be shy but be truthful.

Focus on the mission of the agency and translate your experi-ence into terms that make sense for that agency.

Use more nouns and titles (e.g., writer, team leader, database administrator) to allow for selection in a keyword search.

After creating a draft of your federal style resume, schedule a meeting with your career counselor.

Quick LinkFor an example of a federal style resume, visit careers.gmu.edu.

Additional ResourcesThe Career Services Library has a large section of books that pro-vide a wealth of information. In particular, The Student’s Federal Career Guide, Ten Steps to a Federal Job, The Federal Resume Guide-book, and Guide to America’s Federal Jobs by Kathryn Kraemer Troutman are excellent step-by-step guides with good samples on writing an effective federal resume.

Quick TipsDesign your descriptions to focus on your accomplishments, using action verbs to clearly indicate the skills you’ve used.Try quantifying results in your descriptions, such as “Created marketing campaign that increased club membership by 25 percent”.Don’t make your margins and font size too small.If providing a hard copy, print your resume on good quality bond paper, either white or conservative tones.Accompany your resume with a cover letter whenever possible.Only include high school experiences if you are a freshman or sophomore. If you are an international student who has obtained permanent residency or U.S. citizenship, list this information on your resume. If not, do not include your non-immigrant visa status or address outside the U.S.Have others look over your resume for content and grammar. Career Counselors and industry advisors are available to critique your resume.


RESUME CHECK LIST

LAYOUT AND APPEARANCE YES NO COUNSELOR COMMENTS

Is my name at the top of the page and in bold?

Are my address, phone number, and e-mail address easy to read?

Is my resume an appropriate length? (one page preferred)

Does my resume have about 1-inch margins (½-inch minimum)?

Is the font size 11 minimum or 12 maximum?

Is formatting (e.g., bold font, bullet sizes, heading styles) consistent throughout the resume?

Are the headings and statements evenly spaced?

Are verb tenses in the present tense for current jobs? Are verb tenses in the past tense for previous jobs?

Do I have approximately two to six statements per job? (Bullet format is recommended.)

CONTENT

Does my objective statement clearly state what I am seeking and what I will bring to the position?

Did I include the following headings: Education, Experience, and Skills?

Does my education section state my official degree and expected graduation date?

Does my education section state my official degree and expected graduation date? Did I include my cumulative GPA (if a 3.00 or above)? Is my GPA accurate?

Do my statements demonstrate major accomplishments rather than routine tasks and duties?

Check the statements that demonstrate your accomplishments. Do my accomplishment state-ments start with action verbs?

Do my accomplishment statements demonstrate the use of key skills?

Do my statements demonstrate the results of my accomplishments? Did I quantify my results (i.e., use numbers when possible)?

Does my resume end with strength? (e.g., Skills, Activities section)

Is my resume completely free from spelling, punctuation, and grammatical errors?


Resum

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ettersCover Letters The cover letter is a standard business letter that accompanies a resume. The goal of the cover letter is to encourage employers to look at your resume. Effective cover letters are tailored for the particular job and organization to which you are applying. Taking the time to personalize your cover letter will demonstrate to the employer a level of enthusiasm and interest in the position and could help you stand out more as a candidate.

There are two basic types of cover letters:

Application Letter—Used to apply for an open position within an organization; includes pertinent details about your qualifications and requests an interview.

Prospecting Letter/Letter of Inquiry—Used to contact an employer where no known opening exists to express an interest in the organization and request an opportunity to interview for an appropriate position.

COVER LETTER CONTENTS

AddressCity, State, ZipDate

Name of AddresseeTitleOrganization NameAddressCity, State, Zip

Salutation If you do not have a name, call the department or human resources to find out to whom your letter should be addressed. As a last resort, address your letter to the personnel manager, hiring manager, or recruiting represen-tative.

First ParagraphThe main purpose of the first paragraph is to introduce yourself and tell why you are writing.

You want to grab the employer’s attention.

Indicate why you are interested in the position and/or why this organization.

Use your community. If someone has referred you to the organization (a current employee, friend, or family member), include his or her name in the first sentence.

Second/Third ParagraphTell the employer your story.

Describe your qualifications for the type of position you seek using specific examples from academic, work, volunteer, and/or cocurricular experiences.

Connect your accomplishments, skills, and knowledge directly to the type of position, organization, and/or field.

Avoid repeating facts outlined on your resume by focusing on key concepts.

Final ParagraphSummarize or give a final statement of interest and qualifications.

Thank the employer for his or time and consideration.

Plan to follow up with the employer with a phone call or e-mail.

Closing Sincerely,Your Name


SAMPLE COVER LETTER: PROSPECTING

Mr. Mark ParkerInternship CoordinatorEC International Development Inc.111 Connecticut AvenueWashington, DC 20003

Dear Mr. Parker,

While conducting research on the field of international development on LinkedIn, I came across your orga-nization and decided to learn more by visiting your website. I am excited about the current projects you provide in Latin America in support of human rights. I noticed on the George Mason University system HireMason that an internship was available with your organization last summer, and I would like to inquire about anticipated internship openings within the next six months. My extensive knowledge of internation-al affairs, along with my Spanish language skills and enthusiasm for empowering international communities, would allow me to make a valuable contribution to your organization.

I will graduate from George Mason University in May 2013 with a bachelor’s degree in global affairs and a minor in Spanish. I have consistently received positive feedback from my professors concerning the accura-cy and efficiency of my research projects, and I have played leadership roles in many academic group proj-ects. I have learned a great deal about Latino cultures and global issues associated with human rights and poverty, and I would like to put my knowledge to good use. I am interested in getting experience at an organization that aims to make a difference for disadvantaged individuals in developing countries. In fall 2011, I completed a study abroad program in Argentina, where I practiced my Spanish skills and served as a volunteer for a community project to benefit orphans. I would like to continue to contribute my relevant skills to your organization as a student intern.

I look forward to speaking with you further about potential internship and opportunities within your orga-nization. I have attached my resume for your review. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact me by phone (202-555-5555) or by e-mail ([email protected]). If I do not hear from you by October 18, 2014, I will call you to follow up. Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,

Amanda Ramirez


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Congressional Internship

Student Conservation Association (SCA)Job Function: Public Administration/Public Affairs/Public Policy/TransportationApplication Deadline: 11/15/2014

SCA and Unilever Corporation have partnered to offer a unique congressional internship opportunity that will give students a chance to change the world. Working in either a Democratic or Republican office, stu-dents will gain firsthand knowledge of how government policy shapes our national park system. After spend-ing 15 weeks on Capitol Hill, interns will be placed in the field at a national park to help implement those policies.

Minimum Requirementscommunication skills, both written and verbal

Interest in public policy and environmental issuescustomer service skills and comfortable dealing with the public

spreadsheets or databasesconduct Internet research

Current undergraduate or recent graduate with a GPA of 3.00 or higher

Location: Washington, D.C., and an assigned national parkPosition Type: Internship—Paid or stipendDesired Major: Public policy, government, political science

To ApplySend resume, cover letter, and college transcript via George Mason University’s HireMason database or to SCA Human Resources Office at www.theSCA.org/hr by the November 15, 2014, deadline.

SAMPLE COVER LETTER: INTERNSHIP

Example of Internship DescriptionHighlighted key words indicate skills, competencies, experience, or knowledge areas that the candidate must possess and include on his or her resume, cover letter, and supporting materials to be considered for an interview. If the key elements are not there, you won’t be selected. Be prepared to discuss and give examples of your qualifications at the interview.


Example of Tailored Cover Letter

SAMPLE COVER LETTER: JOB

Example of Professional Job Description

Fairfax County Public SchoolsTitle: School Counselor, Rachel Carson Middle SchoolJob Function: Counseling/Consulting/Crisis Intervention/Program Assessment and Evaluation

Duties: School counselor will work with students from multicultural and diverse socioeconomic backgrounds. Provide developmentally appropriate information, knowledge, and skills to promote student success in aca-demic, career, personal, and social areas. Serve as a consultant to parents and teachers helping them to be more effective in working with students through individual or group conferences, staff development activities, or parent educational workshops. Provide crisis intervention addressing specific concerns of students at risk or with identified needs consulting with parents and/or teachers as appropriate. Assess needs of students and staff, evaluate programs and make changes in the school counseling program to increase effectiveness. Act as liaison between teachers, parents/guardians, support personnel, and community resources to facilitate success-ful student development. Be an advocate ensuring equitable access to programs and services for all students.

To Apply: E-mail resume and cover letter to [email protected] by August 15, 2014.

1234 Campus RoadFairfax, VA 22030

September 1, 2014

Internship CoordinatorStudent Conservation AssociationStreet AddressWashington, DC Zip code

Dear Internship Coordinator:

I am writing this letter in response to a posting on www.idealist.org for the Student Conservation Association 2013 congressional internship. My academic major at George Mason University is government and interna-tional politics. Conservation ecology has been an interest of mine for many years, and I am eager to obtain experience with a nonprofit advocacy organization as an intern.

My volunteer work in high school and college was with the Alliance for the Chesapeake Bay. My college course work is writing-intensive, and the enclosed writing sample illustrates my experience during the annual Mary-land Cleanup, Project Clean Stream. I find the opportunity to work on Capitol Hill as an SCA intern in the office of an elected official very exciting because it would combine my academic major and environmental interests and aspirations. I anticipate that my course work will come alive working alongside staff and elected officials in the legislative branch of government. I am willing to contribute my proficiencies in conducting research, as well as administrative and computer spreadsheet and database skills.

I have enclosed my resume that highlights my customer service and public relations experience, and transcripts for your review. I will follow up next week to ask whether you will need additional information. I may be reached by e-mail at [email protected] or telephone at 703-555-3456. Thank you for your consideration and time.

Sincerely,

Samantha Student George Mason University

Enclosure


Resum

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ettersExample of an Application Letter

2201 Wentworth WayFairfax, VA 22030September 15, 2014

Alice Ford, Recruitment SpecialistFairfax County Public Schools8115 Gatehouse RoadFalls Church, VA 22042

Dear Ms. Ford:

I am applying for the position of school counselor at Rachel Carson Middle School as advertised on the Fairfax County Public Schools website on March 15, 2012. As a graduate student at George Mason Univer-sity, I will complete an M.Ed. in counseling and development with a concentration in school counseling in May 2012. The possibility of working at Rachel Carson is exciting to me because of its multicultural student body, its nontraditional teaching methods, and the innovative programs initiated by the school to help each child develop to his or her fullest potential.

In the past year and a half, I have held a counseling internship conducting individual and group counseling sessions covering anger management, social skills development, study skills, friendship, grief, deployment, and divorce. In addition, I worked with a diverse student body that included many non-English speaking recent immigrants at Bailey’s Elementary School for the Arts and Sciences. During this practicum, I con-ducted individual and group sessions addressing attendance, academic, career, and social concerns.

Enclosed is a current resume for your consideration. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you in person so we might discuss more fully the scope of the position and my qualifications for it. I can most eas-ily be reached on my cell phone at 703-555-4398.

Sincerely,

Joanna Spellman

Quick Links careers.gmu.edu (Resumes and Cover Letters section)

collegegrad.com Cover letter tips, samples, and templates

careerlab.com Lots of cover letter examples for job hunters

rileyguide.com Cover letter tips and examples

Quick Tips Use social media and the organization’s website to gather information for your cover letter. Focus on skills and attributes the employer is seeking in applicants and discuss these skills in the body of your cover letter.

Cover letters also showcase your writing abilities. It is imperative that your cover letter is error-free and grammatically sound. Don’t begin every sentence with “I.”

Letters addressed to a specific person demonstrate a higher level of investment and enthusiasm for the position, so try to find out the name of the person you want to read your letter.


COVER LETTER CHECKLIST

FORMAT AND APPEARANCE YES NO COUNSELOR COMMENTS

Did I include my name, address, zip code, e-mail address, and telephone number?

Is my cover letter an appropriate length? (One page preferred)

Did I check and correct any spelling, grammar, and punctuation errors?

Does the paper quality match my resume paper?

Is the letter vertically centered on the page?

Did I use a business letter format (full block, modified block, or indented format)?

CONTENT

Did I address my letter to an individual in a hiring position? If I could not find an individual, did I address it “Dear Employer” or “Dear Hiring Manager”?

Does the first line state why I am writing the letter and the position for which I am apply-ing?

Was I concise and specific when discussing career goals and qualifications?

Do I describe what I can contribute to an employer and not what I can get out of the organization?

Did I include information that will intrigue the employer to read my resume, or did I just restate what is on my resume?

Did I communicate actively by using strong verbs and avoiding contractions (e.g., I’d, didn’t, it’s)?

Did I limit the use of sentences starting with “I”? Instead, did I use “This experience” or “In this internship, I demonstrated”?

Is my cover letter tailored to my reader, showing that I have researched the organization?

Have I demonstrated knowledge of the industry?

Did I demonstrate enthusiasm and energy for the position?

Did I refer to personal qualities that are crucial to success in the field?

Did I tell the reader why they should hire me?

Did I end my letter stating the action I will take next? For example, did I state that I would be calling to request an appointment to discuss the position?


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ettersLetters of RecommendationRecommendation letters are typically requested when applying to graduate school or for a scholarship and by employers in certain fields.

Provide your letter writers with the following:

Four to six weeks lead time to write the letter.A copy of your resume.Written highlights of your academic courses.Examples of projects and research papers.Your transcripts.Any other information that serves to distinguish you for the purpose of the recommendation.Stamped and addressed envelopes.A handwritten thank-you letter or card.

Save a copy of your recommendation letters. They may be used again but should be updated by the original writer after one year.

OTHER LETTERSVisit careers.gmu.edu for samples.

NETWORKING letter Written to develop a contact in a field or organization and may be used to request an information interview, job lead, or help with preparing job search materials.

THANKYOU Letter Follows an interview and conveys appreciation for the interview and reiterates your interest in the position.

Letter of APOLOGY Expresses your regret for missing an interview

Conveys your continued interest and states your desire to reschedule the meeting.

ACCEPTANCE Letter Serves as an ethical contract between you and the employer after you have been offered a job. It should be brief, express your apprecia-tion, restate the terms and conditions of employment (salary and benefits), and the starting date.

REJECTION Letter Declines a job offer and expresses appreciation for the employer’s time and the offer in a positive, tactful manner.

WITHDRAWAL Letter Notifies an employer in a considerate and positive tone that you no longer wish to be considered for a position with that organization.

ReferencesEmployers may require you to provide a list of references and/or reference letters for them to review. References verify your experi-ence and confirm your credibility. Employers use references to assess past job and school performance as an indicator to deter-mine whether you would be a good fit for the position. Careful consideration should be given to whom you ask to serve as your references.

IDENTIFYING YOUR REFERENCESConsider asking professors, advisors, supervisors and bosses, or co-workers to be a reference for you.

As a college student or recent alumnus, at least one reference should be a professor or faculty member.

Choose wisely. If an individual has minimal knowledge of your professional experience, do not ask him or her to serve as your reference. You should select an individual who knows you well and can speak of your skills, rather than a well-respected profes-sional in your field who knows very little about you.

If the person seems hesitant to serve as your reference, ask someone else.

REQUESTING REFERENCESPersonally contact each person to ask whether he or she will serve as a reference.

Share the types of positions you are interested in applying for and how you see your qualifications fitting with those positions.

Ask well in advance of date they will be contacted and/or need to turn in their letters.

Build your recommendation portfolio by asking your employer or supervisor to write you a letter whenever you leave or com-plete your job if you left on good terms. If you had great interac-tions with a professor and did well in class, you may also ask them to write a letter for you at the end of the semester.

PROVIDING YOUR REFERENCES WITH INFORMATIONNotify your references when you have included them in a job application.

If you are requesting the reference to write a letter of recom-mendation, provide a stamped and addressed envelope. Also, you may include a cover sheet with a list of the graduate schools or employers for which you are requesting letters to be sent.


REFERENCE LIST FORMATThe names of references should not be included on the resume. Create a separate page with your complete contact information at the top followed by a list of your references (see sample below).

Do not send your list of references with the resume unless requested to do so; instead, give it to the employer at the interview.

Employers will usually contact your references by phone or e-mail.

References may include current or former supervisors, co-workers, or faculty.

Before listing persons as references, ask their permission and make sure they are prepared to provide positive references.

Keep your references updated on your job search, and supply them with a copy of your

current resume and a job announcement, if applicable.

Daniel Faircloth9118 University Drive

Fairfax, VA 22030703-555-8120

[email protected]

REFERENCESJocelyn Weaver, PhDAssistant ProfessorBiology DepartmentGeorge Mason UniversityFairfax, VA 22030

[email protected]

Melissa GraybarManagerBritches88766 Maple StreetAlexandria, VA 33049

[email protected]

Rhonda Kalish, MDProject ManagerNational Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesNational Institutes of HealthBethesda, MD 20887

[email protected]


Career R

esearch

CAREER RESEARCHIt is critical to conduct research into various careers and industries that interest

you. The more research you do, the more likely a career path will become evident

to you. This section will explore research methods.

In ThisSection

You will learn…

What to research to find out more about a company or industry.

How to conduct career research.

About go-to sources (online links) for general and industry-specific information.


Career research is Step 2 in the Four-Step Process.

STEP 2: RESEARCHResearch your organizations of choice by visiting their websites to learn about their mission, products or services offered, major divisions, and location.

Research your industry of interest to learn the lingo and current trends in the field.

Develop a list of organizations that may be a fit for you.


About Career ResearchOften a job description is limited in explaining what is required of the applicant for that particular position. It is essential to discover more about the job, the company, and most important, the industry. Once you know more, you can go back to your documents and tailor them appropriately. Make sure you can answer these questions:

What is required of me, both in the day-to-day work, as well as the overall goals for achieving success in this position?

What are the goals of this company, and how does it go about achieving them?

Who are competitors in this industry, and what, collectively, does the industry stand for and what obstacles do they face?

What are the emerging trends in this industry, and how might this position or company play a part in this larger context?

Career Research ChecklistRead about various occupations and learn about the nature of the work, working conditions, training and educational require-ments, earning potential, future job outlook, and more in the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics’ Occupa-tional Outlook Handbook at bls.gov/oco.

Talk with your network of contacts—family, friends, professors, teachers, neighbors, peers, colleagues, and mentors—about potential careers. Use social media, including LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter.

Use Mason’s Alumni Association to build connections and con-sult the reference copy of Mason’s latest Alumni Directory avail-able in the Career Library. The directory has a geographic and career field index.

Conduct career research online. Learn more about your indus-tries of interest by visiting careers.gmu.edu/industries

Explore current job openings. Different companies have differ-ent variations of jobs within the same career field.

Consider volunteering.

Conduct informational interviews and attend information sessions at University Career Services.

Go to one or more career fairs.

Arrange to job shadow one or more people who have careers that interest you.

Locate one or more professional associations related to your career field.

Links Below are some websites you can use to conduct career research.

GENERAL INFORMATIONONet (www.onetonline.org/)

Riley’s Guide (rileyguide.com/careers/index.shtml)

Occupational Outlook Handbook (bls.gov/oco)

WetFeet (store.wetfeet.com/collections/industries-and-careers)

TheCareerProject.org

LexisNexis

INDUSTRYSPECIFIC INFORMATIONFor industry-specific information, visit the University Career Ser-vices “Industry Resources” page at careers.gmu.edu/industries.

Use LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com) to research through groups relevant to your industry or interest area and through company pages.

Access information through national or regional associations related to your industry. You can also locate professional associa-tions through Association Central (www.associationcentral.com).

Visit TheCareerProject.org to research thousands of real careers and jobs through the eyes of the people who work them.

Netw

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NETWORKINGNETWORKING = RELATIONSHIPS

This is the most important step and the most time consuming, but effectively building

your network will ultimately lead to a successful internship or job search.

In ThisSection

You will learn…

Why it is important to network.

What should be included in a personal pitch.

How to prepare for an informational interview.

About sample networking questions.

About social media and other networking strategies.


Networking is Step 3 in the four-step process.

STEP 3: NETWORKIdentify specific departments or individuals at companies that interest you. To help you do this, you can use social media and contact alumni using Mason Career Network. Also, ask your professors, parents, relatives, and any other acquaintances whether they have con-tacts at the places you’d like to intern.

Develop a List of Possible Contacts Develop a list of contacts from both professional and personal circles:

Family, friends, professors, neighbors, classmates, and such.

Members of professional associations.

Alumni on Mason Career Network.

People who have published articles in newspapers or journals in your field.

Set Up the Meeting or CallYou can arrange your interview by phone, e-mail, sending an introductory letter, social networking sites, or in person. Read Script Guidelines for Arranging Interviews at careers.gmu.edu.

Mason Career Network members indicate the ways they prefer to be contacted and reviewing the “Contact” section of a per-son’s LinkedIn profile can help you determine whether or not they are likely to help you. (Helpful tip: If a person has “Expertise Requests” in their contact section, this is a good indication that they would be willing to talk with you.)

Once you have found someone to connect with, you can send them an e-mail to introduce yourself, and the reason you are contacting them.

Come PreparedMake sure your resume is up to date in case they ask for a copy of it. You may also consider asking your contact what informa-tion is most important to include on a resume for that field.

Research the person’s field and organization through resources in the Career Library or on the Internet

Develop a list of questions

Set personal goals for the meeting. Typical goals for an informa-tional interview include the following:

■ Learning more about the career path you are considering

■ Presenting your background and interests clearly

■ Learning more about the company itself

■ Obtaining referrals


Why Network? Most jobs (70 to 80 percent) that are filled are discovered through networking. Networking can sound scary, but it doesn’t have to be if you understand the process. Networking simply means building relationships with people, and if you can add a new friend to Facebook, you have already proven that you can network! Here are a few helpful tips for beginning your networking adventure.

YOUR PERSONAL PITCHImagine you are on an elevator with an employer who has the ability to give you your dream job, and he or she introduces them-self to you. Would you know what to say back to him or her to keep their attention? If you had developed and practiced your personal pitch you would! A personal pitch allows you to answer the following questions in 30 seconds or less:

1. Who are you?

2. What do you do best?

3. How have you made an impact?

4. What sets you apart?

5. What are you seeking?

For examples of personal pitches, visit careers.gmu.edu.

PEOPLE WHO CAN GET YOU CONNECTEDYour network is probably bigger than you think. To help you iden-tify people to network with, think of the five Fs: Friends, Fellow Peers and Alumni, Faculty, Family, and Foundations and Profes-sional Associations.

Strategies for NetworkingLearn strategies and tips for successful networking.

THE INFORMATIONAL INTERVIEW An informational interview is a structured meeting to gather information from a professional about a career field, an occupa-tion, or an organization. This information can be used to help make a decision about a major or career or to help find out about job openings and qualifications required in particular fields.

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Informational Interview EtiquetteNever ask for a job during an informational interview.

If you are meeting someone in person for your informational interview, dress in the most professional attire that your ward-robe allows. (The closer you are to interviewing for a job, the more critical it is to dress professionally.)

Arrive or call on time for the interview. If an emergency or unexpected problem arises that prevents or delays your arrival, call the person immediately.

Ask your interviewee if there is anything you can do to help them, remember, networking is a two-way street.

Thank the interviewee for their time and send a follow-up thank-you note or e-mail.

Enjoy the experience! Because you are the interviewer, you do not have the same pressures as in a job interview. At the same time, the experience helps you develop your interviewing skills— firm handshake, good eye contact, relaxed but erect posture, clear speaking, careful listening.

SOCIAL MEDIA AND ONLINE NETWORKINGUsing social media and online resources for networking is one of the best ways to find jobs and internships. Social media allows employers to target job candidates with a very specific set of skills, recruit passive job candidates who might not otherwise apply for positions, and is less expensive than other methods of recruiting job candidates.

If you don’t have an easy to find and positive online presence, you might be missing out on exciting job opportunities. See the infor-mation on the right for more information about networking using LinkedIn and Twitter and the information below for ensuring that you have a good online image for employers to see.

LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com)Invite friends, coworkers, and supervisors to join your network, receive recommendations from people you’ve worked with, and search the more than 100 million professionals already on the LinkedIn network. Find jobs using the jobs and employer directories.

SAMPLE NETWORKING QUESTIONS

Whether a planned or chance meeting, you should always have questions prepared to ask a potential contact. These are some examples:

How did you enter this field? What preparation did you have (classes, activities, experience)?

What skills, abilities and personal qualities do you find most important in your work?

How would you advise me to get started in building experience in this field?

What’s your perspective for the next few years in terms of job prospects in this field?

What are typical career paths in this field?

What academic major would you recommend as preparation for your field?

I’ve built a target list of organizations in this field. Would you be willing to look at my list and give me any suggestions you might have?

What kinds of projects do you work on?

What kinds of backgrounds do people in this organization (field) have?

Are there specific courses you would recommend?

What types of experience, paid or unpaid, would you recommend as preparation for this type of work?

What do you like most about your job?

What do you see as disadvantages to working in your type of job?

What do you like most and least about your work?

What are the personal qualities of people who are successful in this field?

Given my background and interests, are there other organizations you might suggest I explore?

What are the most pressing needs and issues for your department within the overall organization?

For more sample networking questions, visit careers.gmu.edu.


How can you use LinkedIn for networking?

LinkedIn allows you to market yourself and create a professional brand.

It enables you to establish, build, and maintain a professional network.

You can grow your network by connecting to friends, family, supervisors, co-workers, classmates, professors, advisors, and others with similar interests or skills.

You can share and gain information about career fields, companies, industry experts, and job leads.

Employers use LinkedIn to find candidates for their positions.

You can follow and conduct research on companies of interest to you and search job listings.

You can see if you have connections to a company and ask them to possibly help you network your way to a job!

Quick Linkslearn.linkedin.com Tips to use LinkedIn.

bit.ly/L9Uu56 Help creating a profile

bit.ly/KInJPR LinkedIn’s “10 Official Tips to Enhance Your Job Search.”

linkedin.com/studentjobs Jobs for students and recent graduates.

linkedin.com/skills/ Adding“skills” to your LinkedIn profile.

linkedintelligence.com/ Linked Intelligence—an online library of resources.

Facebook (www.facebook.com)Use Facebook to build a network with classmates, alumni, friends, family, and coworkers. Highlight your work experience and educa-tion on your profile. Be sure to keep your profile professional and tasteful. Facebook has networking applications like BeKnown, Branchout and Glassdoor.

Twitter (www.twitter.com)Using Twitter, you can follow and have real-time communications with hiring managers and working professionals in your industry area. These are some tips for using Twitter for networking!

Maintain a professional profile: A Twitter profile bio is limited to 160 characters; be sure to include your location and the type of work you do or are looking for, plus keywords that recruiters might use to search for prospective candidates. Don’t forget to add a professional-looking photograph.

Use Twitter add-on applications for job hunting include Tweetmyjobs or Twitjobsearch.

Follow career coaches, resume writers, job industry experts, and government employment agencies to keep up with hiring trends. Regional groups (@dcjobscouncil) and job boards (@indeed) are also on Twitter.

Follow hashtags. Twitter uses hashtags (# single word) to tag individual tweets or conversations on specific subjects. Exam-ples of job-related hashtags include #job, #jobs, #jobsearch, #career, #employment, #salary, and #hire.

Participate in chats sponsored by professional groups, career experts, or agencies.

Quick LinkTo locate job resources that fit your interest, you can use the Twitter search function and select relevant keywords based upon your interests. For example, if you want to work in the public relations field in New York City, you could type “job openings,” “public relations,” and “New York.”

Google YourselfIf you don’t like what you find when you Google yourself, chances are future employers won’t like it either. Should your Google search return something you wouldn’t want your new boss to see, contact the owner of the site you found the content on and ask him or her to remove it. If your Google search leads to the discov-ery that you share a name with someone who has “inappropriate” content on the web, you may consider using “Me on the Web” (http://bit.ly/Q39pkz), a feature that can help you understand and manage what people see when they search for you on Google.

OTHER NETWORKING STRATEGIES

Listservs and Professional AssociationsIn addition to professional networking sites, you can join indus-try-specific listservs and professional associations online. Many professional associations offer student memberships, have list-servs and career websites that include job and internship oppor-tunities, and post events such as networking mixers, conferences, and meetings on their websites.

Networking Events and ActivitiesNetworking events with professional associations, academic departments or even social groups can be intimidating, but they can also help you to connect with people you wouldn’t meet oth-er wise.

Before a networking event, make sure your LinkedIn profile is up to date and that you are comfortable with your personal pitch. When you are prepared, you will feel comfortable introducing yourself to new people and connecting with them after the event on LinkedIn.

If you are attending a conference or professional association meeting, do some research about the speakers and participants before the event by reading their bios and seeing if they have a LinkedIn profile. This will allow you to see if you have anything in common and give you ideas of topics to discuss if you have an opportunity to mingle.


Job SearchJOB SEARCHThrough your research and networking, you should have a solid idea of where you

need to be searching for opportunities in your industry. This section will build on

what you learned in the previous sections, and provide tips as you embark on your

job/internship search.


How to identify employers/positions.

More about online resources for job searching.

About the process for applying for federal jobs.


The Job Search is Step 4 in the four-step process.

STEP 4: SEARCHExplore options and identify prospective sites and contacts using HireMason and web resources.


Identifying Employers and PositionsYou created your resume and cover letter and had them critiqued. You identified certain fields of interest and researched the industry. You networked using social media and at events. Now is the time to search and apply! Make sure you cover all your bases when searching

Through your networks

Industry-specific databases or listservs

Social media platforms (particularly popular for certain industries and growing in popularity for many others)

Individual company websites

General databases

RESEARCHING EMPLOYERSEvery field is unique and it’s critical for you to learn the specific databases, listservs, or methods of sharing open positions that are typically used. Target social media platforms or job boards that are specific to your professional goals such as those found through professional associations. Use the information provided in the “Research” section to target employers.

THE “OPEN” JOB MARKETThe open job market means anything that is advertised or pub-lished. These include all jobs in HireMason, newspaper classified ads, employer job listings, placement agencies, ads in trade jour-nals, job and career fairs, and job newsletters. This open job mar-ket should be the first thing that you tackle when looking for a job. Become familiar with the resources that have the kinds of jobs that you are interested in applying to, and make it a habit to frequent these sources.

THE “HIDDEN” JOB MARKETMost jobs, as many as 85 percent, are not advertised. While it is takes more time and energy to uncover these opportunities, it has a much larger rate of success. Finding jobs in the “hidden” job market often involves networking. In the end, you will often find yourself with less competition than an advertised job, and better chance of obtaining an interview.

Job Search ResourcesBelow are a few key resources you should keep in mind when conducting your search:

YOUR NETWORKApproximately 70 percent of opportunities are found through networking. Remember to conduct informational interviews (refer to the Networking section for more information) to learn

More about your industry, company, career paths, and types of opportunities

Never ask for a job or internship; instead ask for advice

Build relationships and take a genuine interest in others

MASON CAREER SERVICES RESOURCESMason Career Services website (tips, advice, and more): careers.gmu.edu

HireMason

Check out our industry-specific resources on our “Industry Resources” page: careers.gmu.edu/industries

On-Campus Interviewing: Interview on campus with employers for full-time positions and internships

INDUSTRYSPECIFIC DATABASESTarget industry-specific internship/job boards or listservs through national or regional associations related to your indus-try. (You should have compiled this list through your research and networking.)

Check out our industry resources page for more information: careers.gmu.edu/industries

SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMSLinkedIn: www.linkedin.comTwitter: www.twitter.comFacebook: www.facebook.com

INDIVIDUAL COMPANY WEBSITESThrough your research and networking, you should have deter-mined some target companies that peak your interest


Job SearchRegularly check the “careers” section of company websites to ensure you’re capturing any and all opportunities that may be posted (NOT all companies will post to a general database)

GENERAL DATABASESHireMason: gmu-csm.symplicity.com/students

Internships.com: www.internships.com

Idealist: www.idealist.com

USAJobs (for government positions): www.usajobs.gov

Indeed: www.indeed.com

Simply Hired: www.simplyhired.com

Career Builder: www.careerbuilder.com

Monster: www.monster.com

Craigslist: www.craigslist.com

DICE: www.dice.com (for technology positions)

Federal Government JobsThe federal government is a major employer in the Washington, D.C., area, offering a wide variety of employment and internship opportunities for all college majors. With more than two million civilian employees nationwide—and attractive benefits—the fed-eral government is the employer of choice for many Mason stu-dents. Moreover, federal internships offer students an opportunity to gain professional experience that can lead to full-time federal employment after graduation.

MANAGING THE FEDERAL JOB SEARCHTo manage a federal job search, you should treat the more than 250 federal departments, agencies, and bureaus as if they were separate organizations.

IDENTIFY FEDERAL POSITIONS THAT MATCH YOUR MAJOR AND QUALIFICATIONSStart by perusing www.usajobs.gov to get a feel for the opportuni-ties available. Determine the names of positions, their four-digit job series number, agencies, and departments of interest. Decide which agency is right for you by considering the location, the mis-sion, and the services provided.

It helps to focus on two or three particular agencies to become familiar with their hiring process and the agency mis-sion.

Remember not to make your job search too narrow. Prepare as many applications as you can and keep applying. For instance, if you want a job as a writer, do not apply only for positions named “writer.” Look also under the liberal arts occupational interest area to uncover additional position titles (such as pro-gram analyst) because writing is a major skill used in many posi-tions.

FOLLOW HIRING PROCEDURESFederal positions generally are lled on the basis of education, work experience, and special uali cations. Agencies occa-sionally will direct hire employees when there is a need to ll a position quickly, and may list positions and policies on their own website’s career pages.

Internships are not part of the competitive service and may not require the same extensive application procedures or timeline as the competitive service. Internship opportunities can be found at www.usajobs/studentjobs.

HOW TO APPLYAlthough most U.S. government agencies will now accept a sim-ple resume, you can make yourself more competitive by complet-ing the longer federal resume. Please see the “Resume/Cover Let-ter Section” for tips on writing a federal resume and samples.

The cardinal rule for applying is to accurately follow the applica-tion instructions in the job vacancy announcement!

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES KSAS

Writing your KSAsMany federal agencies still require applicants to write KSAs as part of the application. The best predictor of future performance is past performance in similar situations. KSAs draw on your past experiences, education and/or training that prove you can do the job better than others in the candidate pool. Include KSAs from vacancy announcement on your federal resume!

Completing KSAsIdentify your major accomplishments as they relate to the KSAs required for the position for which you are applying.

Draw on your past experience, education, or training that demonstrates you possess the particular KSA.

Provide a detailed response to each KSA.

Address each KSA listed separately. Do not combine KSAs and give one answer.

Include a detailed narrative highlighting your past experience, education, and/or training, which further justifies that you meet the specific requirements for the position.

In order to be considered for any government position requiring KSAs, each KSA must be answered.

Include answers to the following (indicate specific and detailed descriptions of your work experiences):

An estimate of when the experience(s) was acquired

A description of the problem(s) you faced or the objective(s) you were trying to accomplish

A specific statement of what you actually did

A description of the outcome or results of the activity

The name and telephone number of someone who can verify the information you provided. This doesn’t have to be a supervi-sor.

FOLLOWUPFederal agencies are required to notify applicants of the status of their applications. If you have not heard anything or received an acknowledgement of your application within two weeks after applying, call or e-mail the agency contact. Some agencies have


automated application tracking systems, which allow applicants to check their own application status.

Patience, Persistence, and NetworkingThe federal government is currently averaging 3 to 4 months to process applicants from the initial resume submission to a Conditional Offer of Employment (COE) for full-time career positions. Do not lose heart! Students applying for internships and other student programs have an advantage because the application process is much shorter.

Network with everyone you know who has some connection with the federal government—friends, relatives, neighbors, professors, and others. Conduct information interviews with federal workers to find out hiring trends, identify upcoming needs, and obtain feedback on your qualifications. Start early and network, network, network!

Background Investigations and Security ClearancesBackground investigations and security clearances determine an applicant’s trustworthiness and reliability before granting him or her access to sensitive information. Only the federal government can grant people “clearances” for work purposes through a back-ground investigation and/or an in-depth security clearance pro-cess. To get a clearance, the applicant must be sponsored by or have a job offer from a government agency or contractor and must be conducting business that justifies granting him or her access to sensitive information. All federal job offers are contingent on a clearance and are withdrawn if the candidate does not receive the clearance required by the organization for the specific position.

Types of InvestigationsSF 85, nonsensitive background investigationSF 85p, public trust background investigationSF 86, national security clearance

These are available on the Office of Personnel Management’s web-site (www.opm.gov/forms). Maintaining a career diary to record all facts of prior and current employment, education, residences, and domestic and overseas travel will be useful in clearance actions.

It is critical to be absolutely truthful on clearance forms, in inter-views with investigators, and on polygraphs. Situations not explained or described untruthfully will end the process, whereas truthfulness and explanations of some behaviors may be consid-ered and the process can go forward. If the process is curtailed, the candidate is not likely to receive an explanation. Agencies are not required to provide explanations; however, candidates may appeal the decisions and ask for reconsideration.

BACKGROUND INVESTIGATIONS (the lowest level—either nonsensitive or public trust). These can take as little as a few weeks and will include a National Agency Check with Inquiries (NACI). A NACI will look at five years of the candidate’s employment history, education, and references, and require a personal interview. The public trust investigation also will include a credit check. The paper work for a background investigation will require completion of either form SF 85 (nonsen-sitive) or SF 85p (public trust).

SECURITY CLEARANCES Confidential—Provides access to information or material that may cause damage to national security if disclosed without authoriza-tion.

Secret—Provides access to information or material that may cause serious damage to national security if disclosed without authoriza-tion.

Top Secret—Provides access to information or material that may cause exceptionally grave damage to national security if disclosed without authorization.

Top Secret /Sensitive Compartmented Information—Provides access to all intelligence information and material that require spe-cial controls for restricted handling within compartmented chan-nels and for which compartmentalization is established.

The paperwork for a security clearance will include federal form SF-86 (National Security Questionnaire) and other supporting documents. Your signature on these documents will allow the agency to check your medical history, credit and financial history, military background, police record, and other areas of your life. Make sure you understand the process before applying. This pro-cess is an in-depth probe into your personal and professional life. With the threat of spies, terrorism, and other issues of national security, the level of scrutiny will be intense.

Interim security clearances may be obtained in 26 to 45 days. Interns sometimes receive interim clearances and their access to sensitive material is restricted. The amount of time to obtain a secu-rity clearance can be 9 to 12 months—or more!

Security clearances obtained in previous employment usually can be reactivated within a 24-month period following the end of employment in which the clearance was obtained. If the candidate had a clearance more than 24 months in the past, the process of obtaining a clearance must start over again.

The federal agencies that can provide a security clearance include all national security and intelligence-gathering agencies (CIA, National Security Agency), federal law enforcement agencies (FBI, Secret Service, Drug Enforcement Agency, Naval Criminal Investi-gative Service), civilian military agencies (Defense Intelligence Agen-cy, Defense Security Service), certain occupations in the U.S. mili-tary, diplomatic agencies (State Department), certain government scientific agencies, and a number of others depending on their mission and role in national security.

THE SECURITY CLEARANCE INVESTIGATIONThe investigation focuses on an individual’s character and conduct, emphasizing such factors as honesty, trustworthiness, reliability, financial responsibility, criminal activity, emotional stability, and other similar and pertinent areas. All investigations consist of checks of national records and credit checks. Some investigations also include interviews with individuals who know the candidate, such as neighbors, current and former coworkers, and family members, as well as the candidate himself or herself.


Job SearchFactors Pertinent to Background Investigations and Security Clearances

Alcohol use—excessive, patterns, abuse

Allegiance to the United States—anything to suggest allegiance to other countries above allegiance to the United States

Criminal conduct—particularly any felony convictions

Drug use—patterns of use (frequency and recency), type of drugs

Emotional and mental stability

Financial problems—mostly focused on current issues with credit and debts that cannot be repaid

Foreign influence and preference—including dual citizenship

Misuse of information technology—music downloads and other copyrighted material are included, and will be questioned in the investigation process as well as in polygraph interviews

Outside activities—investigators review community and extra-curricular activities

Security violations—while as a federal employee, contractor, or intern

Sexual behavior—focus is on behavior, not preferences

Personal conduct—behavior indicating a lack of trustworthiness to protect federal information

Violations of any of these factors may not necessarily prevent clear-ance, and consideration may be given for activity in the past and extenuating circumstances.

Resources for Your Federal Job SearchThe federal government has two categories of employment: com-petitive service and excepted service. Competitive service jobs

constitute some 90 percent of all federal jobs and are managed through the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) online sys-tem, www.usjobs/gov. Excepted service agencies include all intel-ligence agencies, the State Department’s Foreign Service Officer track, the Government Accountability Office, the National Sci-ence Foundation, and a number of others. Each excepted service agency runs its own hiring process, so students will have to go to individual agency websites to apply. The Intelligence Community has a portal to its agencies at www.intelligence.gov. Another helpful resource specifically aimed at students is the Partnership for Public Service’s website at www.makingthediffer-ence.org.

The Career Library houses valuable resources for researching agen-cies and locating contacts for networking. See the Government section (yellow). Several of note include:

Federal Jobs: The Ultimate Guide

Guide to America’s Federal Jobs

The Student’s Federal Career Guide

Ten Steps to a Federal Job

The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Getting Government Jobs

You should pay attention to political trends and agency budgets for indicators of job prospects; currently, science, engineering, finance, accounting, IT, procurement, and health care have good opportunities for qualified applicants.

Regularly check the employment pages of agency websites. If you are still a student, apply for student opportunities. Keep network-ing!


Inte

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INTERVIEWINGAn interview is your opportunity to convince an employer that you are the right person for

the job.

In ThisSection

You will learn

The different types of interviews.

How to prepare for an interview.

What is involved in a behavioral interview.

About questions interviewers ask and questions to ask an interviewer.

How to handle interview challenges, including when an interviewer asks inappropriate and biased questions.


Interviewing

About InterviewingA key element of successful interviewing is positively presenting yourself to demonstrate how your qualifications meet the employer’s needs. Preparation, practice, and a well-articulated presentation are critical. Remember that the employer has asked you to inter-view because of genuine interest in you. Now it is your turn to demonstrate your interest and provide proof of your qualifications.

Interviews are used to

Expand on information contained in your resume.

Supply information to the employer that is not contained in your resume (e.g., personality)

Gain additional information about the organization and the position you are considering.

Provide an opportunity for both parties to discuss the possibility of employment.

Things to remember and actions steps to take

Before the interview

During the interview

After the interview

Before the InterviewBring copies of your resume and a list of references. You may wish to bring a writing sample or portfolio, if appropriate, and a copy of your transcript(s).

Dress to project an image of confidence and success. Business dress is considered standard attire for most interviews, even if more casual clothing is typically worn at the workplace. For men, this means a suit or jacket, dress shirt, tie, and slacks. For women, a pants suit or dress suit with a modest hemline is appropriate. Both men and women should select conservative colors—black, navy, brown, or gray—and dress shoes in comple-mentary colors. Hair should be neatly trimmed. If jewelry is worn, it should be simple and tasteful. If a fragrance is worn at all, it should be very subtle. Go to quintcareers.com/dress_for_success.html for details on this topic.

Know how to get to the interview and leave plenty of time to get there. Arrive early but don’t check in with the employer more than 15 minutes before your scheduled appointment. It may even be a good idea to do a test drive of the route in advance.

Find out how long the interview will take. Be prepared to stay longer, if necessary.

Smile and have a firm handshake.

Practice, Practice, Practice!

RESEARCH: INFORMATION TO GATHER BEFORE THE INTERVIEWObtain information on the job and organization from people in the field, company literature and web sites, public and career libraries, trade journals, newsletters, business magazines, and directories. Be prepared to discuss your knowledge of the organization at the interview.

Be sure to gather the following:

Job description

Knowledge, skills, and personal qualities required for the job

Trends and major issues in the field

Realistic salary for the position

Size, location(s), and structure of the organization

Past, present, and projected growth

Types of clients and products and services offered

Relationship of the organization to its competitors

Management philosophy and style

PREPARE QUESTIONS TO ASKYou should prepare thoughtful questions to ask during the inter-view that demonstrate an interest in the employer and will help you learn whether the position and organization will fit your interests, values, and qualifications. Avoid asking questions that are answered on the employer’s website or in the literature provided prior to the interview.

Sample Questions to Ask the Employer during the InterviewWhat specific skills and experiences would you ideally look for in the person filling this position?

How would you describe a typical day in this job?

What qualities and characteristics does it take to be successful in this position?

What needs to be accomplished in this position in the next 6 to 12 months?

What significant changes do you foresee in the future for this position and the company?

How does one advance in the organization?

What kind of training do new hires receive in this position in the first three months?

How much travel is normally expected?

What kind of support does this position receive from coworkers, supervisors, and management?

What kinds of programs are offered for professional develop-ment?

What is the work environment like?

What else can I tell you about my qualifications?

When can I expect to hear from you?

During the InterviewMake eye contact immediately and continue to do so through-out the interview.

Have a relaxed but erect posture.

Answer questions completely. Be direct and concise. Avoid rambling.


Speak clearly with good volume.

Answer questions completely. Be direct, concise, and speak clearly.

Control nervous habits (such as tapping your foot) and use natural hand movements for emphasis.

Initiate discussion appropriately. For example, make a positive comment about the organization and how you see yourself con-tributing to it. Ask a question about some of the job requirements.

Be a good listener.

Be specific and use examples to talk about your experiences.

Be positive and enthusiastic!

PRACTICE INTERVIEW QUESTIONSEmployers are interviewing you hoping to find a reason to hire you, not to rule you out. You want to use examples to discuss your experiences. You can use examples from the following: class proj-ects, academic classes, work in a student organization, volunteer experience, athletic activities, part-time or full-time job. It is a good idea do a practice interview with someone you trust. Employers, career counselors, parents, professionals are all great resources in preparing for your interview. Below are some exam-ples of typical interview questions.

Identify the SITUATION or problem you solved or encountered

What was the specific TASK or targets? (who, what, when, what’s required)

Detail your specific ACTION. What did you do? How did you do it?

Explain the RESULTS. Quantity. (savings, accomplishments, recognition, etc.)

THE SIX MOST FEARED INTERVIEW QUESTIONS“Tell me about yourself.” Focus on your academic background and why you chose your major, accomplishments during college, activities that helped you develop personally and professionally, lessons learned, and what excites you about working in your chosen field.

“What is one of your weaknesses?” Think of this question as “What is one area I need to develop in order to be more effective in my field?” Avoid offering personal or character flaws. State the weak-ness, own it, and tell the interviewer what you are doing to work on it.

“Why do you want to work for us?” Discuss the research you have done on the company and the job description. Talk about

how your interests, skills, and experience match the job require-ments.

“Why should I hire you?” Answer and also note examples using the STAR Formula. For example, don’t just say you possess good customer relations skills, give specific examples of how you have effectively interfaced with the public.

“Where do you want to be 10 years from now?” Think about tasks and roles you would like. Would you like to advance into management, manage major projects, supervise or train others, or simply become so competent at what you do that others ask you to consult with them?

“What are your salary requirements?” Avoid giving a specific figure. Research salary surveys such as salaryexpert.com or the NACE Salary Survey in the Career Library to learn what the entry-level salary ranges are in the field or industry you are enter-ing. Then, state the salary range. See more on this topic in the “Salary Requirements” section that follows.

Practice Interview QuestionsWhat do you consider to be one of your strengths?

How do your qualifications relate to our position? What do you have to offer?

How would you describe your own work style?

What are your career objectives, both short-term and long-range?

What classes did you like most in school? Least? Why?

What activities did you participate in at school? And what was your role?

What were the biggest pressures on you in your last job? How did you handle them?

How does your previous experience relate to this position?

What did you like most and least about your last job?

Why do you think you’d be a good match for this position?

What kind of boss do you like to work for?

What do you think would be your greatest contribution to our operation?

The Behavioral InterviewMore than 80 percent of employers who recruit at Mason use a structured competency-based behavioral interviewing approach, which assumes that past performance is the best predictor of future success. Behavioral questions require job candidates to give specific examples of how they handled specific real-life situations. This approach elicits the candidate’s competencies, skills, abilities, and knowledge more reliably than standard interview questions. While behavioral interviewing questions may initially seem more intimidating, they are often easier to answer because you can draw on actual experiences, rather than responding to hypotheti-cal scenarios or giving vague or generalized responses.


Interviewing

In the rare case that you cannot recall a real example related to the question, you can tell the interviewer, “I’ve never actually been in that situation; however, I think I would….” Then, give your best appraisal of how you would respond in that circumstance. The following questions are typical of behavioral questions. When thinking about how you would answer them, remember to use the STAR Formula.

BEHAVIORAL INTERVIEWING QUESTIONSDescribe a time when you were faced with stresses in school or at work that tested your coping skills. What did you do?

Tell me about an experience in which you had to speak up and tell other people what you thought or felt.

Give an example of a time when you used your fact-finding skills to gain information needed to solve a problem; tell me how you analyzed the information and came to a decision.

Give an example of an important goal you set and describe your progress in reaching that goal.

The Case InterviewThe purpose of the Case Interview is to determine whether candi-date can do consulting work and can make a good impression on clients, and to scrutinize the skills that are important in manage-ment consulting.

In particular, case interviews examine quantitative, analytical, problem solving, communications skills. The employer is looking for you to demonstrate your creativity, flexibility, the ability to think under pressure, business acumen, ability to synthesize find-ings, professional demeanor, and powers of persuasion. Organiza-tions who typically use case interviewing are management con-sulting firms, investment banking companies, consumer goods companies for brand management positions. Some firms use cases for MBA-level job candidates only and some firms do case interviewing in 2nd or 3rd round interviews. Case interview ques-tions may be brainteasers, market-sizing questions, factor questions, or business case questions.

Quick Tips for answering case interview questions:

Understand the question.

Listen carefully and restate the question.

Ask great questions.

Take meticulous notes.

Form a relationship with the interviewer.

Construct a logical framework (i.e. SWOT analysis, Porter’s Five Forces).

Prioritize the issues and objectives.

Think outside of the box.

Practice! Use books, websites for practice cases, and mock inter-views.

PREPARE QUESTIONS TO ASK THE INTERVIEWERYou should prepare thoughtful questions to ask the interviewer that demonstrate an interest in the employer and will help you

learn whether the position and organization will fit your interests, values, and qualifications. Sample questions to ask an interviewer include

What specific skills and experiences would you ideally look for in the person filling this position?

How would you describe a typical day in this job?

What is the work environment like?

What else can I tell you about my qualifications?

What needs to be accomplished in this position in the next 6 to 12 months?

How much travel is normally expected?

What kinds of programs are offered for professional development?

When can I expect to hear from you?

Handling Interview ChallengesINAPPROPRIATE OR BIASED QUESTIONSQuestions that seem to be inappropriate or biased could be indi-cators that something is wrong with the interview. Please refer to careers.gmu.edu for examples of inappropriate or biased ques-tions and how to handle these situations.

HIGHLY TECHNICAL QUESTIONSInterviewers often ask the interviewee to answer questions related to their particular industry or organization. Be prepared for this type of question. You should know common jargon and be ready to define terms and discuss trends in the particular industry. If you don’t know the answer, it’s better to say so than to attempt to circumvent the question.

DISABILITY ISSUES AND POTENTIAL ACCOMMODATIONS A job seeker who has a disability is, first, a fully qualified candidate for a position and, second, a person with a disability. As a job seek-er, you may or may not choose to disclose a disability to potential employers. If technological or other types of accommodations will equalize or maximize your effectiveness on the job, they can be discussed during the information exchange or closure stages of the interview, before a job offer is extended. The decision to disclose a disability is personal and may vary depending on the situation and the job requirements.

If you do disclose a disability, it is important that you feel comfort-able and confident in your approach. All job seekers are advised to approach a discussion of their qualifications in a positive manner. You can highlight your relevant skills and give evidence of your qualifications for the position in the form of examples from past academic, employment, or volunteer experiences. A proactive approach will be most effective and emphasize one’s adaptability, flexibility, and talents.

For additional resources, go to careers.gmu.edu/links and click on “Additional Resources for Students with Disabilities.

After the InterviewIf you determine that the position would be a good fit for you, be sure to express interest in the position and briefly summarize why


you are well qualified for it. Then ask what the next step will be or when you can expect to hear from the interviewer. This inquiry demonstrates your confidence and interest and gives you important information.

INTERVIEW CHECK LIST

BEFORE THE INTERVIEW YES NO

Bring copies of your resume and a list of references.

Dress to project an image of confidence and success. Business dress is considered standard attire.

Know how to get to the interview and arrive no more than 15 minutes before the scheduled appointment.

Find out how long the interview will. Be prepared to stay longer, if necessary.

Research and obtain information on the job and organization from people in the field, company literature and websites and career libraries.

Prepare questions to ask.

Practice! Practice! Practice!

DURING THE INTERVIEW

Make eye contact immediately and continue through the interview.

Have a relaxed but erect posture.

Answer questions completely.

Control nervous habits.

Be a good listener.

Practice interviewing questions with your Career Counselor before the interview. Use examples to talk about your experiences using the STAR formula.

Review/Practice Common Interview Questions

Understand and research the Behavioral Interviewing concept, and practice BI questions.

Understand and research the Case Interviewing concept and practice

Be prepared to handle interview challenges-inappropriate/biased, technical and disability issues types of questions.

AFTER THE INTERVIEW

Send an e-mail or handwritten thank-you note to the interviewer(s).

Review salary requirement and resources.

Evaluate job offers; take time to evaluate all the factors involved.

Quick TipSend an e-mail or handwritten thank-you note to the interviewer(s).


Offers and N

egotiations

OFFERS AND NEGOTIATIONSFor many people, discussing salary is a nerve-wracking experience. However, when managed

correctly, it can also contribute to a positive and more fulfilling professional relationship between

you and your future employer.


How to respond when asked for salary requirements or salary history in an application or in an interview.

About negotiation strategies.


Why Negotiate Salary?Employers expect that you will negotiate your salary responsibly and respectfully. Discussing salary details too early or choosing not to negotiate your salary with a potential employer could mean accepting a salary lower than your level of education and experience dictate, of peers in your profession, and that an employer was willing to pay.

To negotiate salary, determine the types and amounts of compen-sation that a person with your level of experience, education, skills, and other qualifications can command in your industry and organization, by pursuing critical research and discussing salary details in a timely manner.

Salary RequirementsSalary requirements are best discussed when an employer makes you a job offer. You are in the best position to bargain after the employer has determined that you’re the best person for the job. Be sure to give the employer a salary range, not a specific figure. Sometimes employers insist on asking about your salary require-ments or expectations early in the interview. If this happens, con-sider the following strategies:

Emphasize your abilities, the match between you and the orga-nization’s needs, and your expectations that the salary will be competitive.

Try postponing discussion of salary until the interviewer is pre-pared to make you an offer (e.g., “I’d like to hold off discussion of salary until I have a fuller understanding of the nature and scope of the responsibilities of this position.”).

If you must give a figure, give a range that you are comfortable with, based on your research.

Try to get the employer to mention a salary figure first by turn-ing the question back to him or her. Remind the employer of the skills you’ll bring to the position and note that salary is negotia-ble. Ask what he or she had in mind in terms of salary.

See the Career Library or www.salaryexpert.com.

SALARY RESOURCESSee salary information at careers.gmu.edu/links. Click on “Prepare to Job Hunt” and scroll down to salary sites.

EVALUATING JOB OFFERSTake time to evaluate all the factors involved in a job offer.

Employers generally give candidates between one and two weeks to decide. This time span may vary depending on your needs and those of the employer, but allow at least 24 hours for evaluation before accepting any position.

Ask for a copy of the job offer in writing.

If you are asked to decide sooner than you wish, ask for an extension, which may or may not be granted. It is perfectly rea-sonable to say that you have other interviews scheduled that you want to attend before making your final decision if that is the case.

Follow up with other organizations that are considering you for

employment in which you still have interest. Explain that you have received another offer, and because of your interest in their organization or position, you are following up to learn the status of your candidacy.

If unsure about whether to accept a position, use your career counselor as a sounding board.

Salary HistoryIf you are asked to include your salary history with your resume, you could include a salary range rather than a specific amount. You can list your salary history in your cover letter without itemiz-ing. For example, you could say, “I am currently earning in the mid-forties.” Your salary history can also be listed on a separate salary history page and enclosed with your resume and cover let-ter.

Be honest. It’s easy for potential employers to verify your salary with previous employers.

You can also say that your salary requirements are flexible. That may help keep you in the running for the position and will give you some flexibility when negotiating compensation later on

Timing is everything. You should only discuss salary after a job offer has been made to you. You are in the best position to bar-gain after the position has been offered to you by a potential employer.

Salary Requests during the InterviewIf an employer wants to discuss salary during an interview before making an offer, consider using one of the following responses:

Option 1: “Since salary is only one piece of the puzzle for me, I’d like to find out more about the job before determining my salary requirements. This sounds like an excellent opportunity so far. Can you tell me a little more about…[insert an area where you have additional questions]?

Option 2: “Thank you for asking. Would you mind telling me the average salary for this position or similar positions within your agency? My requirements are flexible, and I’d like to consider those rates before deciding on an exact range.”

Option3: “I prefer to have a full understanding of everything a job has to offer before discussing salary. With that said, do you mind if we delay this conversation until we’ve talked a bit more about the position itself and where we are in the interview process? (Follow up with specific questions.)

If an employer insists that you give your salary requirements or history and you have already politely and respectfully indicated that you would like to postpone the discussion, be prepared to have this discussion. Further avoidance will only make you seem resistant and defiant. Again, provide the employer with a salary range, for example $50,000 to $60,000.


Offers and N

egotiationsSalary Negotiation StrategiesDETERMINE YOUR SALARY

Do Your ResearchDetermine an appropriate salary for your position by becoming familiar with the organization’s typical salary range for that posi-tion, in addition to their usual benefits package. Salary is one piece of a complete compensation package, which can also include health insurance, time off, flexible hours, loan forgive-ness, technology and equipment (company computers, phones, cars), opportunities for advancement, and bonuses.

Pursue market research and determine what similar organizations offer for that particular position. (Research your salary range in various organizations, on salary websites, with profes-sionals in your field, and with individuals and alumni employed by the organization with which you are seeking employment.)

Know what you are worth and what the current market will bear. Know the agency’s size/budget.

Visit salary calculator websites to obtain accurate and current information.

Understand Your ValueWhen you accept a position you are agreeing to make a significant investment in the organization. It is realistic and fair to expect that organization to make an equitable investment in you. As long as you are tactful and realistic, it is unlikely that an employer who has a vested interest in you will withdraw an offer because you tried to negotiate a better compensation package.

Salaries are normally assigned to positions rather than to individu-als. Your task is to negotiate a higher salary because you as an individual will perform better than the average person in the posi-tion.

Be AwareMost offers are negotiable. Do not assume than an employer’s first offer is the best offer. Many employers will initiate salary dis-cussions by proposing a salary figure that is at the lower end of the position’s allocated pay scale. This is to allow room for the candidate to negotiate.

Quick LinkSalary.com Online salary information.

Salaryexpert.com Employee provided data from 10 million job incumbents.

Glassdoor.com Search millions of job listings and see company salaries, reviews, and inside connections for any company.

salary.money.cnn.com CNN Money.

bestplaces.net, relojournal.com, virtualrelocation.com Compare cost of living.

paycheckcity.com Paycheck calculator.

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